Dust from homes with a pooch appears to limit the risk of allergy — at least in mice

By Stephen Ornes, 09:26 AM January 8, 2014

Dogs are loyal protectors of a home. The dust these pets drag inside also appears protective, a new study in mice finds. It suggests babies raised alongside dogs develop fewer allergies and infections.

A mix of microbes, or germs (many of them harmless), infests house dust, the scientists note. Homes with dogs harbored dust with a broader mix of microbes than did homes with no pooch, their new data show. And that mix in homes with dogs appears to offer big health benefits, the scientists repor...